The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has sterilised over 2,950 Free-Ranging Dogs (FRDs) in Ladakh to protect Black-Necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis), whose chicks and nests were being attacked in alpine wetlands.

About Black-Necked Crane

The Black-Necked Crane is a medium-sized member of the crane family. It is locally known as “Cha Thung-Thung” in Ladakh and “Thungdung Karma” in Arunachal Pradesh.

It has a whitish-grey body, a jet-black head and upper neck, red patches around the eyes and long legs adapted for wading through wetlands.

Distribution

The species is mainly found in high-altitude marshes and lakes of the Tibetan Plateau, including Tibet, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Gansu and Sichuan in China, as well as eastern Ladakh in India.

A small wintering population is also found in the Sangti and Zimithang valleys of Arunachal Pradesh.

Habitat and Breeding

Black-necked Cranes breed at elevations of around 2,600–4,900 metres, generally selecting gently sloping wetlands where they construct simple nests using grasses and sedges.

Important breeding areas in India include the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, particularly the wetlands of Hanle, Tso Kar and Nyoma.

Diet

They have an omnivorous diet, feeding on sedges and their tubers, plant roots, earthworms, insects, other invertebrates and frogs.

Cultural Significance

The Black-Necked Crane holds special significance in Ladakh's Buddhist culture and is regarded as a sacred bird and a symbol of peace, purity and good fortune.

Major Threats

The major threats include increasing human activity around wetlands, linear infrastructure development, tourism, habitat degradation and climate change.

Conservation Status